Click beetles
Click to enlarge image
Click beetle, Genus Conoderus
Image: Andrew Donnelly
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Conoderus
- Subfamily
- Agrypninae
- Family
- Elateridae
- Super Family
- Elateroidea
- Order
- Coleoptera
- Class
- Insecta
- Subphylum
- Uniramia
- Phylum
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Number of Species
- 800
-
- Size Range
- 1 cm - 1.5 cm
Click beetle, Genus Conoderus
Image: Andrew Donnelly
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
Introduction
There are about 800 different species of click beetles (family Elateridae) in Australia, many of which occur in the Sydney area.
Identification
Most click beetles them are a dull brown colour and are often attracted to lights at night. Other species are brightly coloured and are found on flowers.
Habitat
Click beetles live in urban areas, forests and woodlands.
Distribution
Click beetles are found throughout Australia.
Feeding and diet
The larvae of click beetles are generally plant-eaters and are known as wireworms because of their hard, shiny, cylindrical body.
Other behaviours and adaptations
Click beetles can flick themselves upright when lying on their back using a spring mechanism on the underside of their body. This may help them escape predators.
